Biography
LINDA L. LEE
Founder: Mental Health Worldwide
We are persons and organizations from all aspects of mental health including persons that have experienced mental health disability, family and caregivers, mental health workers such as psychiatrists and psychologists, non-government organizations, resource and support services. We are from many different cultures, countries and languages and represent a wide variety of ideologies, experience and knowledge within the field of mental health.
The purpose of this group is not to lobby for any particular ideology within the field. Each member/member organization philosophy and beliefs are considered to be equally valid, even though may be different from our own. Our common goals are to improve the lives of those with mental health disability by increasing awareness and advocating at an international level. We believe that joining national and individual voices will provide a stronger, louder voice that needs to be heard by all levels of society, worldwide in order to reduce the severe stigma and discrimination that continues to exist in the mental health field. We will be encouraging the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
We work in collaboration with WHO Mental Health whenever possible. Our first campaign is to focus on increasing awareness around the launch of the next WHO Mental Health report on Development and Mental Health. This report will be released on September 16, 2010.
Background:
Linda is pursuing a PhD in Disability Law at the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (NUI Galway), Ireland. Her supervisor was one of the lead delegates in the drafting of the current UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Her research will take place in Zambia working with the President of the Mental Health Users Network of Zambia.
In 2009, Linda received, with Distinction, the International Diploma in Mental Health Law and Human Rights Legislation at the Indian Law College in Pune, India. This program is in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2005, Linda co-authored with her son, two childrens' book on self-esteem: "Shoulder Buddies: Helping Kids with Self-Esteem" and "From the Inside Out: A Self-Esteem Book for Kids".
From 1990-2010, Linda worked as a psychologist, specializing in individual and group therapy for adults. Treatment included cognitive behavioral therapy and clinical hypnosis. From 1990-2000, Linda worked in provincial community mental health clinics and from 2000-2010, Linda had a private practice. In private practice, Linda established the "Power of Self" a ten session self esteem group for adults.
In 1989, Linda received her Masters of Science Graduate Degree from the University of Calgary in the Clinical, School and Community Psychology Program; specializing in Clinical Psychology.
